Thursday, September 24, 2009

We must embrace a new era of engagementbased on mutual interest and mutual respect. …– President Barack Obama, Sept. 23, 2009

I've constructed similar analogies before, so bear with me if this sounds a little familiar: You live in an apartment building, down the hall from a pyromaniac who has served time for arson. The problem is that he's been stocking his apartment with all manner of flammable sundries over the last couple of weeks, and there's every reason to believe he's planning something particularly horrendous.What's really scary is that the group of tenants who have met several times over what to do about this guy have, for some reason, prohibited any decisive action be taken, citing grounds such as lack of probable cause, due process and concern that he might bring a lawsuit if confronted. In fact, the building superintendent has promised sanctions against anyone who goes to the police or the landlord.What's even scarier: Members of your own family agree with the other tenants.This is analogous to the situation that the U.S. faces vis-à-vis North Korea, the Islamic Republic if Iran and, to a degree yet to be determined, much of the Islamic world.Many Americans who are not committed leftists agree that American foreign policy has grown increasingly limp-wristed over the last 30 years. Despite the mobilization against Islamic fascists in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, this also includes the administration of George W. Bush in key areas.In days past, the U.S. was willing and able to act unilaterally when tyrants and destabilizing forces emerged on the geopolitical stage. What the majority of Americans do not know is that, for the aforementioned last 30 years, it has been the intent of certain of our leaders and lawmakers that America lose its global preeminence. [CLICK HERE TO READ MORE]